DFNS.L vs. XAR

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

DFNS.L (VanEck Defense UCITS ETF) and XAR (SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF) are both Aerospace & Defense funds - DFNS.L tracks the MarketVector™ Global Defense Industry Index while XAR tracks the S&P Aerospace & Defense Select Industry Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, DFNS.L returned 42.95%/yr vs 34.11%/yr for XAR. A 0.53 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. DFNS.L charges 0.55%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for XAR.

Performance

DFNS.L vs. XAR - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in VanEck Defense UCITS ETF (DFNS.L) and SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF (XAR). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, DFNS.L achieves a 2.88% return, which is significantly lower than XAR's 13.40% return.

DFNS.L

• 1D: -1.80%
• 1M: -5.10%
• YTD: 2.88%
• 6M: 8.71%
• 1Y: 15.78%
• 3Y*: 42.95%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

XAR

• 1D: -2.08%
• 1M: 7.34%
• YTD: 13.40%
• 6M: 20.10%
• 1Y: 41.33%
• 3Y*: 34.11%
• 5Y*: 16.26%
• 10Y*: 18.01%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

DFNS.L vs. XAR - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023
DFNS.L VanEck Defense UCITS ETF	2.88%	68.21%	43.74%	25.73%
XAR SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF	13.40%	46.15%	23.32%	18.11%

Correlation

The correlation between DFNS.L and XAR is 0.60, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.60
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.53
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 6, 2023	0.53

The correlation between DFNS.L and XAR has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.53 to 0.60 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

DFNS.L vs. XAR — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

DFNS.L

DFNS.L Risk / Return Rank: 19
DFNS.L Sharpe Ratio Rank: 19
DFNS.L Sortino Ratio Rank: 20
DFNS.L Omega Ratio Rank: 18
DFNS.L Calmar Ratio Rank: 19
DFNS.L Martin Ratio Rank: 19

XAR

XAR Risk / Return Rank: 43
XAR Sharpe Ratio Rank: 43
XAR Sortino Ratio Rank: 43
XAR Omega Ratio Rank: 38
XAR Calmar Ratio Rank: 48
XAR Martin Ratio Rank: 42

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

DFNS.L vs. XAR - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for VanEck Defense UCITS ETF (DFNS.L) and SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF (XAR). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	DFNS.L	XAR	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	0.63	1.55	-0.92
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.06	2.21	-1.15
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.12	1.26	-0.13
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	0.84	2.41	-1.58
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	2.09	6.85	-4.76
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

DFNS.L vs. XAR - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current DFNS.L Sharpe Ratio is 0.63, which is lower than the XAR Sharpe Ratio of 1.55. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of DFNS.L and XAR, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	DFNS.L	XAR	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.63	1.55	-0.92
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	—	0.70	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	—	0.73	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	2.01	0.85	+1.16

Drawdowns

DFNS.L vs. XAR - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum DFNS.L drawdown since its inception was -18.72%, smaller than the maximum XAR drawdown of -46.37%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for DFNS.L and XAR.

Drawdown Indicators

	DFNS.L	XAR	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-18.72%	-46.37%	+27.65%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-18.72%	-17.22%	-1.50%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.72%	-19.73%	+1.01%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	—	-32.40%	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	—	-46.37%	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-15.86%	-6.55%	-9.31%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-3.39%	-6.79%	+3.40%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	7.50%	6.05%	+1.45%

Volatility

DFNS.L vs. XAR - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for VanEck Defense UCITS ETF (DFNS.L) is 8.07%, while SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF (XAR) has a volatility of 9.52%. This indicates that DFNS.L experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than XAR based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	DFNS.L	XAR	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.07%	9.52%	-1.45%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	19.53%	22.39%	-2.86%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	24.88%	26.81%	-1.93%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.56%	23.41%	-1.85%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	21.56%	24.62%	-3.06%

DFNS.L vs. XAR - Expense Ratio Comparison

DFNS.L has a 0.55% expense ratio, which is higher than XAR's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

DFNS.L vs. XAR - Dividend Comparison

DFNS.L has not paid dividends to shareholders, while XAR's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.32%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DFNS.L VanEck Defense UCITS ETF	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
XAR SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETF	0.32%	0.40%	0.66%	0.54%	0.50%	0.83%	0.63%	0.75%	1.19%	0.76%	1.09%	2.31%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both DFNS.L and XAR in my portfolio?

DFNS.L and XAR have a correlation of 0.60, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which ETF is better, DFNS.L or XAR?

On fees, XAR is cheaper at 0.35% per year. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF is cheaper, DFNS.L or XAR?

XAR is cheaper with a 0.35% expense ratio, compared with 0.55% for DFNS.L.

What is the main difference between DFNS.L and XAR?

DFNS.L tracks MarketVector™ Global Defense Industry Index, while XAR tracks S&P Aerospace & Defense Select Industry Index. They also come from different issuers: VanEck and State Street. Their fees differ too: 0.55% for DFNS.L and 0.35% for XAR.